Xilinx JTAG Download Cable

The main thing holding me back from using my miniLA logic analyzer was the hardware to flash the CPLD. The miniLA website suggests building the free Xilinx JTAG download cable, and flashing through the iMPACT software. I decided to stick with this fail-proof method (the JTAG dongle would also be useful for future CPLDs/FPGAs).

On Xilinx’s site, you will find 2 (maybe 3) arrangements of the same parallel download cable schematic. The first is here: http://toolbox.xilinx.com/docsan/2_1i/data/common/jtg/fig26.htm, which the miniLA site links to directly. The second comes up on Google a lot: http://www.xilinx.com/support/programr/jtag_cable.pdf. They’re the same schematic, but it’s not exactly easy to design a PCB or layout the connections without the schematic file for your CAD.

So I decided to take the time to copy it directly into CadSoft EAGLE, and release the schematic file so others can design a PCB out of it in EAGLE, or just lay it out (like me) to build it on a perf board.

Download the EAGLE schematic file here: Xilinx_JTAG_Download_Cable.sch